DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE YEAR AND THE GRADE SYSTEM
The Year System refers to a system which starts at Foundation Stage 1 and continues through Year 13. The British Schools generally adopt this system.
The Grade System refers to a system which starts in Pre-Kindergarten and continues to Grade 12. Such as UAE Federal System, Canadian and American.
GRADE TO YEAR PLACEMENT
If your child is transferring from a grade curriculum to a year curriculum, please note that Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) have clarified which Year/Grade students transfer to when moving between schools with different year group systems.
As an example: If Grade 2 is completed in 2025-2026, the child moves to Year 4 in 2026-2027 (Year 4 = Grade 3).
YEAR TO YEAR PLACEMENT
If your child is transferring from a “year” system, your child will move up to the next year.
As an example: If Year 2 is completed in 2025-2026, the child moves to Year 3 in 2026-2027.
Please refer to the table below for Year to Grade Equivalency (AY 25/26)
| Year | Grade | Birth From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | Pre-KG | 01 September 2021 | 31 August 2022 |
| FS2 | KG1 | 01 September 2020 | 31 August 2021 |
| Year 01 | KG2 | 01 September 2019 | 31 August 2020 |
| Year 02 | Grade 01 | 01 September 2018 | 31 August 2019 |
| Year 03 | Grade 02 | 01 September 2017 | 31 August 2018 |
| Year 04 | Grade 03 | 01 September 2016 | 31 August 2017 |
| Year 05 | Grade 04 | 01 September 2015 | 31 August 2016 |
| Year 06 | Grade 05 | 01 September 2014 | 31 August 2015 |
| Year 07 | Grade 06 | 01 September 2013 | 31 August 2014 |
| Year 08 | Grade 07 | 01 September 2012 | 31 August 2013 |
| Year 09 | Grade 08 | 01 September 2011 | 31 August 2012 |
Please refer to the table below for Year to Grade Equivalency (AY 26/27)
The updated admissions age cut-off applies to students who are not currently registered in any school system, to ensure there is no disruption to academic progression.
To view the Admission Age Guide for KG and Grade 1, please click here.
| Year | Grade | Birth From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS1 | Pre-KG | 01 September 2022 | 31 August 2023 |
| FS2 | KG1 | 01 September 2021 | 31 August 2022 |
| Year 01 | KG2 | 01 September 2020 | 31 August 2021 |
| Year 02 | Grade 01 | 01 September 2019 | 31 August 2020 |
| Year 03 | Grade 02 | 01 September 2018 | 31 August 2019 |
| Year 04 | Grade 03 | 01 September 2017 | 31 August 2018 |
| Year 05 | Grade 04 | 01 September 2016 | 31 August 2017 |
| Year 06 | Grade 05 | 01 September 2015 | 31 August 2016 |
| Year 07 | Grade 06 | 01 September 2014 | 31 August 2015 |
| Year 08 | Grade 07 | 01 September 2013 | 31 August 2014 |
| Year 09 | Grade 08 | 01 September 2012 | 31 August 2013 |
| Year 10 | Grade 09 | 01 September 2011 | 31 August 2012 |
| Year 11 | Grade 10 | 01 September 2010 | 31 August 2011 |
| Year 12 | Grade 11 | 01 September 2009 | 31 August 2010 |
| Year 13 | Grade 12 | 01 September 2008 | 31 August 2009 |